Stamp
site sponsored and run by the National Philatelic Society, London, United
Kingdom

It's
not just stamps that may form the subject of your
collection as these Stamp Booklet covers show...

Tea
or Transport

Wartime
(1942 booklet)

How to Begin by
Christine A. Earle

What
interests you?

Thematic
collecting is area where many ‘beginners’ can enter the hobby without
being intimidated by their lack of philatelic knowledge. You can collect what
you like or what you are interested in, and then learn the ‘philatelic’
aspects as your collection grows. A good way to start is by forming small
collections of stamps depicting subjects that interest, amuse or entertain
you. You will find in time that one area in particular will seize your
imagination and you can then go on to develop the collection to whatever level
you wish to attain; be it simply for your own pleasure, to display at your
local society, or to win an international gold medal.
At
first you will probably be attracted just to the stamps of your subject, but
do not forget that Thematic collecting involves telling a story using a
variety of philatelic material. Stamps, covers, postal stationery, postal
slogans, meter marks, etc., they all have their place in the Thematic
collection. Try to organise your collection so that it tells a story, with a
beginning a middle and an end, rather than just an accumulation of material,
all of the same subject. Try to include chapters and sub-chapters, which will
allow the story to be developed logically

Churchill

Three Suggestions

The three things I would suggest for coming
up with ideas for a Thematic collection are:
1) Read a good book. Often something you read will take your fancy and you
will realize it is a subject that would make a good thematic collection.
2) Think about the things that you enjoy doing. Sometimes it will have a great
theme, for example, gardening, ornithology, a sport (my first ever collection
was on the history of archery — a fascinating subject to research).
3) Watch the news — a news story can often stimulate an interest in another
country, or some other aspect of life.
These ideas also often make good
collections.

Wartime
Glamour

Subject or Thematic?

Recently, I met two Thematic collectors —
One collected ‘Cats’ with the aim to amass every cat depicted on stamps,
keeping them in numerous stock-books in country & date order, and even
going as far as keeping the set together even if the rest do not portray cats.

The other is a collector
of 'Royalty' and their aim is to try to tell the story of the Princess of
Wales from her birth at Sandringham to her death in Paris.

Neither is the right or
wrong way to form a collection, it is entirely your choice… one (cats) is a
'Subject' collection and the other (Diana) a 'Thematic' collection.

However, can you guess which one was
describing their disillusionment with their collection, saying that it ‘just
wasn't going anywhere’? Whilst the other was saying how fascinating it
was to research the subject, discovering more facts that lead indirectly to
further material to look out for. Also, ask yourself which one of the above
collections do you think would be more interesting to the casual viewer?

Football

...and to help you

Club
packets, approval books, local Stamp Fairs, and Philatelic Exhibitions, are
the ideal hunting ground for thematic material. Make friends with the dealers,
many more are specialising in thematic items these days, and all are keen to
help you find the more elusive material. Don’t be afraid to ask other
collectors for help and advice, I have always found even the most exulted
philatelist has been keen to help me, even in my earliest days of stamp
collecting. Stamp magazines are a useful resource for articles and advice, and
try to build up your own philatelic and thematic library for future reference

.

Finally,
do not forget that stamp collecting is a hobby; you are free to collect what
you like and enjoy.
Try not to be constrained by to many ‘do’s and ‘don’ts’. Thematic
Philately can be seen is an opportunity to show individualism and to move away
from the stereotyped stamp collection. By using blank album pages and
arranging the collection in a structured and attractive manner, whilst telling
a fascinating and well thought out story, you have an opportunity to bring the
Fun back into Philately! Why not ‘Give it a Go’, I am sure it will not
disappoint you.